where to buy my first tarantula

[Robotic fizz]

Hello! I am going to be a new tarantula owner soon I’m not a extreme hobbyist I only want one I find them extremely interesting and I found a empty 10 gallon tank with some other items that could make a really good tarantula home! I’ve done my research and I have some good picks on what starter tarantula to start with but I’m having trouble finding a good place to buy from


I don’t think a sling ( I think that’s what they call baby spiders) would but a good fit for me I heard people say I should start with a juvenile but I’m having trouble finding a place that sells adults/juvenile
This is kinda the setup I made would this be a good setup
Any good recommendations?

 

[The Seraph]

Hello! I am going to be a new tarantula owner soon I’m not a extreme hobbyist I only want one I find them extremely interesting and I found a empty 10 gallon tank with some other items that could make a really good tarantula home! I’ve done my research and I have some good picks on what starter tarantula to start with but I’m having trouble finding a good place to buy from


I don’t think a sling ( I think that’s what they call baby spiders) would but a good fit for me I heard people say I should start with a juvenile but I’m having trouble finding a place that sells adults/juvenile View attachment 298301
This is kinda the setup I made would this be a good setup
Any good recommendations?

Just go down into the Classifieds section on here! There are many people selling many things, just make sure to look at their reviews which should be easy to find. To contact the seller, send them a message by clicking on their profile. There are also online sites such as Palp Friction, Jamie's Tarantulas, Fear Not Tarantulas, Bugs in Cyberspace, many more. FInally, I apologize but that is a terrible set up. There is way to much height in it, which is honestly the only problem. I would read this, it is a very good and comprehensive guide for beginners.

 

[Greasylake]

Not the best setup. It would need more substrate to accommodate a terrestrial or fossorial species, which are the only things you could put in there as it's completely the wrong tank for an arboreal species. If you dropped a sling in there it would disappear and you'd probably never see it again, and it's pretty big for a juvenile T. That's an enclosure fit for like an adult Lasiodora, Theraphosa, Pampho, etc. I would look at finding a spider you want, and then making an enclosure for it, rather than making an enclosure and trying to find something to fit in it.

 

[MissouriArachnophile]

If you wanted to use that tank, you would need a lot of substrate, I have a 5 in B. Albo in one of those and it has about 7 inches of height above the dirt. It was lower, but the tarantula wouldn't stop wondering. Raised the level and it decided to make a burrow and that's where it has stayed since.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

A question: if you did your research (like you said) how is possible that you are under the impression that a 10 gallon tank, but with less than 10 cm of substrate, would be ok/suitable for a (supposedly) beginner friendly Theraphosidae?

T's that (again, supposedly) are always (and it's logical) the quite chubby NW terrestrial ones?

Which means: a huge taller enclosure + barely no substrate + a (hypothetical but possible) climbing and fall scenario = injury and/or death?

 

[Robotic fizz]

Not the best setup. It would need more substrate to accommodate a terrestrial or fossorial species, which are the only things you could put in there as it's completely the wrong tank for an arboreal species. If you dropped a sling in there it would disappear and you'd probably never see it again, and it's pretty big for a juvenile T. That's an enclosure fit for like an adult Lasiodora, Theraphosa, Pampho, etc. I would look at finding a spider you want, and then making an enclosure for it, rather than making an enclosure and trying to find something to fit in it.

Ah thank you (also I am going for a terrestrial) I actually just wanted to see how I wanted to set up the tank before going forward with anything I’m going to add more substrate to it! I already have. The hide and other things that can make the spider feel more comfortable and I did do research on the spider I was thinking of getting

Curly hair tarantula! I’ve asked and people have said it’s a good starter and I’ve read they do fine in a 10 gal was I given the wrong information? Also I was aiming for a adult

A question: if you did your research (like you said) how is possible that you are under the impression that a 10 gallon tank, but with less than 10 cm of substrate, would be ok/suitable for a (supposedly) beginner friendly Theraphosidae?

T's that (again, supposedly) are always (and it's logical) the quite chubby NW terrestrial ones?

Which means: a huge taller enclosure + barely no substrate + a (hypothetical but possible) climbing and fall scenario = injury and/or death?

This is not the full setup I know they need way more substrate I was just trying to lay it out to see how I wanted it to go I’ve read 10 gals are fine for adult tarantulas and I am aware of falls could potential kill them :/

 

[MissouriArachnophile]

Ya you can get a mature Brachypelma albopilosum for a fair price. Definately alot more substrate upto 7-10 inches of space from the top. What type of lid do you have?

 

[Robotic fizz]

Ya you can get a mature Brachypelma albopilosum for a fair price. Definately alot more substrate upto 7-10 inches of space from the top. What type of lid do you have?

As of right now It has a fish tank lid I know that probably isn’t the best thing so I will be trading it out for a better lid once I get everything else figured out!

Just go down into the Classifieds section on here! There are many people selling many things, just make sure to look at their reviews which should be easy to find. To contact the seller, send them a message by clicking on their profile. There are also online sites such as Palp Friction, Jamie's Tarantulas, Fear Not Tarantulas, Bugs in Cyberspace, many more. FInally, I apologize but that is a terrible set up. There is way to much height in it, which is honestly the only problem. I would read this, it is a very good and comprehensive guide for beginners.

Thank you for the information!

If you wanted to use that tank, you would need a lot of substrate, I have a 5 in B. Albo in one of those and it has about 7 inches of height above the dirt. It was lower, but the tarantula wouldn't stop wondering. Raised the level and it decided to make a burrow and that's where it has stayed since.

Thank you for the tip! I’ll make sure to raise the substrate!

 

[Ungoliant]

I’m having trouble finding a good place to buy from

Moderator note: We don't allow links to online stores, dealers, or ads on the discussion boards (as they are akin to endorsements or advertisements), although members are free to share such links via private message.

Check out our Classifieds section. You'll find lots of spiders for sale by businesses and hobbyists. (You can't post replies in the Classifieds section. Contact the seller by sending a private message or using whatever contact method is specified in the thread or on the reviews page.)

If you are looking for a particular species, search Classifieds for the scientific name. The genus name is often abbreviated to the first initial, so if you are not finding results with the binomial, such as Grammostola pulchra, try just the species name, such as pulchra. (Be aware that there are some species that share the same species name but belong to different genera, so check the genus before ordering.)

Whether you're buying from someone here or another Web site, you should read reviews here before ordering. (When you're reading a classified ad, you can quickly find the seller's review page by clicking the user name and then clicking "Reviews & Reports Page.") Don't forget to post a review after the transaction is complete.

Google is another way to find red flags, but I would disregard positive reviews on any site where the company being reviewed has editorial control (for example, on the company's Web site or on a Facebook page owned or moderated by the company).

Note: Many people recommend against buying spiders from stores that primarily deal in reptiles, as they often don't know what they are doing, and it's anyone's guess whether you will receive the species and sex you ordered.

 

[MissouriArachnophile]

Sent you a message, just make sure you check here for any other relevant information for these Tarantulas.

 

[Robotic fizz]

Moderator note: We don't allow links to online stores, dealers, or ads on the discussion boards (as they are akin to endorsements or advertisements), although members are free to share such links via private message.

Check out our Classifieds section. You'll find lots of spiders for sale by businesses and hobbyists. (You can't post replies in the Classifieds section. Contact the seller by sending a private message or using whatever contact method is specified in the thread or on the reviews page.)

If you are looking for a particular species, search Classifieds for the scientific name. The genus name is often abbreviated to the first initial, so if you are not finding results with the binomial, such as Grammostola pulchra, try just the species name, such as pulchra. (Be aware that there are some species that share the same species name but belong to different genera, so check the genus before ordering.)

Whether you're buying from someone here or another Web site, you should read reviews here before ordering. (When you're reading a classified ad, you can quickly find the seller's review page by clicking the user name and then clicking "Reviews & Reports Page.") Don't forget to post a review after the transaction is complete.

Google is another way to find red flags, but I would disregard positive reviews on any site where the company being reviewed has editorial control (for example, on the company's Web site or on a Facebook page owned or moderated by the company).

Note: Many people recommend against buying spiders from stores that primarily deal in reptiles, as they often don't know what they are doing, and it's anyone's guess whether you will receive the species and sex you ordered.

Thank you!

Sent you a message, just make sure you check here for any other relevant information for these Tarantulas.

Alright Thank you!

 

[NewTguy]

Hi Robotic fizz! I am also a new T keeper, I got the same spider that you are interested in (B. albopilosum, aka Curly Hair) about 6 weeks ago. I got mine (a 4.5 inch mature female) at a Reptile Expo, for $40. I found out about the expo by doing a Google search on "reptile show" -- there are 2 or three of them in my state that are held monthly. There were a few tarantula sellers there and they had a much larger selection of T's than my local pet stores, especially adults. The sellers seemed to be much more knowledgeable than the pet store people, and in most cases guaranteed the sex of the spiders that were older. Good luck with your first T!

 

[Robotic fizz]

Hi Robotic fizz! I am also a new T keeper, I got the same spider that you are interested in (B. albopilosum, aka Curly Hair) about 6 weeks ago. I got mine (a 4.5 inch mature female) at a Reptile Expo, for $40. I found out about the expo by doing a Google search on "reptile show" -- there are 2 or three of them in my state that are held monthly. There were a few tarantula sellers there and they had a much larger selection of T's than my local pet stores, especially adults. The sellers seemed to be much more knowledgeable than the pet store people, and in most cases guaranteed the sex of the spiders that were older. Good luck with your first T!

Thank you but my family isn’t very interested in the things I’m interested in and they’re definitely not going to take me to reptile shows even though I’ve asked they just say I have to shop online it kinda sucks but thank you anyway!

Ooof thank you to all the cool nice people who helped out I got a idea of what I’m going for! You’ve all been very helpful thank you!

Can’t wait to get my first ever tarantula!

 

[Apestabrook]

The only issue with adding more substrate is that the juvi will be so small in comparison, most Ts like to borrow, you would likely lose it in the substrate and not find it.
Also, there is too much space above, figure out the measurement of your T, multiply that by 1.5, that's how much empty space above the substrate is safe.
For a juvi something smaller like the round critter enclosures at petco that specifies it can be used for Ts is a decent size. They have about a 7 - 8 in diameter.
My list of top 5 terrestrial beginner species
Eupalaestrus campestratus
Brachypelma Hamori
Grammostola Pulchra
Aphonopelma Chalcodes
Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens
These are all easy to come by, easy to care for and docile in general.

 

[Vanisher]

Emppty space above substrate will not be empty if one ad lots of corkbark, roots and twigs. Deep substrate+ the things i mentioned= not empty enclosure!